The message might be confusing, some say, especially in a week where the weather is just right for cutting back tall grass and clearing defensible space.

Cal Fire is asking residents to stay on top of the defensible space, especially during the drought.

"Right now temperatures are cooler than we have seen in the last few weeks," said Daniel Berlant, spokesman for Cal Fire. "Humidity is up. This is the perfect time to make sure you are going out and cutting down your dry grass."

The signs in El Dorado Hills weren't meant to discourage people from clearing defensible space, the fire department said. The signs are meant to discourage people from using a certain tool to clear defensible space.

"When we say 'Don't mow,' what we are asking is not to not clear it, but don't use a lawn mower at 2 in the afternoon," said Thomas Keating, the Deputy Fire Chief for the El Dorado Hills and Rescue Fire Department.

Keating said El Dorado Hills has a lot of areas that have tall, dry weeds which are close to hundreds of homes.

"When you have light fuels, like light grass, it goes very quickly and it's very hard to catch. So fires burn a lot quicker and faster and a lot farther," Keating said.

The fire department just wants to remind residents to be extra cautious when clearing defensible space. Instead of using a mower to clear fields of dry weeds, they suggest residents use a weed whacker.